>
Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has engaged the services of “mystery staff” to monitor its staff and personnel of other agencies at international airports across the country to curb extortion of air travellers.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Kabir Mohammed, disclosed this during the one day sensitization programme on Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Initiative organised by the Directorate of Airport Operations at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMA), Lagos, over the weekend.
Mohammed noted that the responsibility of these mystery staff was to take note of the activities of staff at the airports and report same to management through the identified channels.
He expressed displeasure at the poor reputation of Lagos airport due to extortion of passengers, warning that anyone caught in such a dastardly act would face disciplinary consequences.
The Managing Director regretted that travellers are discouraged from flying through the international terminal of the Lagos airport because of extortion.
He further challenged representatives of all the government agencies that operate at the airport like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Quarantine Services, Police and others.
Apart from the “mystery staff,” Mohammed further explained that the agency had installed numerous Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at strategic places to monitor activities at the nation’s airports.
He reiterated that anyone that is found wanting would be severely sanctioned by the agency.
The Managing Director further encouraged everyone to improve the reputation of the airport and the country at large by being courteous and respectful to the travelling public, especially during the festive season.
He canvassed collaboration among agencies and other organisations within the sector.
The event also had in attendance top management staff of FAAN, government agencies and concessionaires operating within the airport.
The ACI ASQ sensitization event was championed by the Directorate of Airport Operations headed by Captain Mukhtar Muye.